Writing Non-Fiction

A course that will introduce you to a range of non-fiction genres and mediums explaining what they share and the distinctive features of each of them, and offering practical guidance on choosing your subject, structuring your writing, researching material and deciding what type of writing best suits your project.

Over the course of six modules you will learn how to apply the techniques you learn to write about your lives, other people’s lives and public and personal events.

Each module consists of background reading, practical exercises and assessed homework to help you develop your abilities in each topic, and to apply these to your own writing.

Analysing other writing provides an understanding of how good, and bad, writing works, that you can then think about in relation to your own work. To encourage you to do this, the course also includes homework and exercises where you’ll look at other writing and think about how they are structured and how they work (if they work).

The course can be taken online, as personal tuition, on a group basis, or as any combination of these. You will receive written feedback on all homework, and can work at your own pace, so that you don’t have to rush exercises or homework.

The six modules will provide you with;

An overview of a range of non-fiction writing forms including memoir, biography, autobiography and travel writing.

Guidance on how to identify research requirements and take research forward.

Practical information on choosing your subject and perspective, and how to make your writing original and unique.

Guidance on writing a diary to build the background for your non-fiction piece.

An understanding of the role of fiction in non-fiction

Knowledge of the differing approaches to biography and memoir, and how to work out the best approach for your subject.

Advice on how to bringing locations and periods to vivid life for a modern audience.

An understanding of the requirements for blogging, journalism-style reporting, and short and long form non-fiction story writing.

For personal tuition the course costs £80 per module or £400 for all six modules if paid in advance.

The online course costs £60 per module or £300 for all six modules if paid in advance.

For enquiries about costs, to apply for the course, or for any further information, please complete the enquiry form below.